Strathbeg has had a brilliant week for birds. Many of our waders have moved on but the ducks and geese are out in big numbers and a number of rare and interesting birds have been reported.
Monday brought us off to a great start with a Little Egret seen from Tower Pool Hide out on the low ground along with 120 Greylag Geese and 1 Long-tailed Duck. 2 Bearded Tits were heard calling their distinctive “ping ping” although this number had risen to 5 by Friday.
Tuesday’s duck count was an amazing success with big numbers of all the key species seen on the loch and pools. The final count included; 280 Pochard, 145 Greylag Geese, 30 Gadwall, 7 pintail, 870 Whooper Swans, 135 Mute Swans, 36 Shoveller Ducks, over 200 Teal, 24000 Wigeon, 204 Coot, 220 Goldeneye Ducks, 146 Tufted Ducks and 454 Mallard Ducks. Thumbs up to everyone involved in that count.
In addition to this spectacular paddling of ducks 2 Stonechat were seen from the visitor centre, a Common Scoter was seen on the loch from Fen Hide and 2 Scaup popped up at the South end seen from the old kirk down towards Rattray. The geese also produced a few rarities with 2 “blue” Snow Geese and 1 “white” Snow goose seen also. Also of interest was the Snow Bunting spotted on the low ground, 4 Jack Snipe out on Mosstown Marsh and the American Wigeon still widgeoning around on the loch.
(above) A concussed Wren I found on the visitor centre floor. After 5 mins on the window sill he flew off again.
The “blue Snow Geese” were seen again on Wednesday from Tower Pool Hide as were a Sparrowhawk and a Water Rail.
The week came to an exciting close today with a Glossy Ibis reported out on the Low Ground. This is only the third record for the reserve ever so we’re all very excited about it and although it has just been seen the once it is definitely worth keeping an eye out for. While scanning the low ground from Tower Pool Hide we also got 40 Lapwing, 1 Curlew, 1 Ruff, 2 Grey Heron and around 40 Golden Plover.
Those who joined us for Sunday's dawn Goosewatch were not dissappointed as they were treated to some spectacular lifts of many thousands of Pink Footed Geese. PLaces are still available on upcoming Goosewatch events.
Iain